John Joseph Henry (1786-1836), often listed as just Joseph Henry, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, manufactured a limited number of flintlock pistols under state and federal government contracts in the early 19th century. This pistol is featured on featured on pages 186-187 of "Historic Pistols: The American Martial Flintlock, 1760-1845" by Smith & Bitter where the "MM" marking below the "P" proof on the barrel is attributed as for "Maryland" or "Maryland Militia" and the pistol is noted as "made between 1811 and 1816" based on the single ramrod thimble. The smoothbore barrel is not sighted. The lock is marked "J-HENRY" on the exterior and "PS" on the interior. The furniture is brass. Provenance: The R.H. Bitter Collection; Property of a Gentleman

Very good with gray patina and light pitting on the lock and barrel, aged patina on the brass furniture, and general mild wear. The refinished stock is also good with a few cracks, small chips, and mild wear. Mechanically fine.